News and Information
Stay up to date with the latest news and events happening at Carr Villa Memorial Park, as well as learn more about Cemetery and Cremation Services.
Carr Villa news
Upcoming news and events will be posted here as they become available.
If you would like to be added to our events and site activities notification list, please email your details to CarrVilla@launceston.tas.gov.au
Carr Villa current and upcoming site works
Keep up to date on works happening across the site that may impact your visitation to facility.
Grave Lawn Reparation in Established Lawn Areas
At Carr Villa Memorial Park, we are committed to maintaining beautiful, well-cared-for lawns across our cemetery. For families who have farewelled a loved one through burial within established lawned areas in the past 9-12 months, we want to inform you of upcoming lawn reparation activities.
During the Autumn and Winter period, our operations team will be working to establish lawn in these grave locations. Lawn sowing will begin once the ground has settled, and any grave subsidence (sinking of soil) has eased. This ensures that the area is level and safe for visitors, providing a smooth, even surface when visiting your loved one's resting place.
What to Expect During This Process:
- Ground Levelling: Our team will first level the grave location to ensure the ground is even, addressing any areas where soil may have sunk.
- Topsoil Application and Seeding: After levelling, we will cover the area with topsoil and sow grass seed, promoting healthy growth for a lush lawn surface.
- Shade Cloth Coverage: You may notice white shade cloth covering grave sites. This cloth acts as a greenhouse, helping to retain moisture and creating an optimal environment for grass to grow. It also protects the site from wildlife.
- Gradual Lawn Growth: After seeding, the new lawn will begin to take root and grow. The area will be monitored as the grass establishes, and the shade cloth will be removed once the lawn is fully established.
We appreciate your understanding as we work to enhance the park’s beauty and your loved one's resting place. If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to contact the administration office.
Industry news and resources
Upcoming industry news and resources will be posted here as they become available.
Council endorses Carr Villa Memorial Park Masterplan
The City of Launceston has formally endorsed the Carr Villa Memorial Park Masterplan, setting a clear and sustainable vision for the future of one of Tasmania’s most significant cemetery and crematorium sites.
For nearly 120 years, Carr Villa Memorial Park has served as Launceston’s principal cemetery.
The endorsed Masterplan provides a long-term, forward-thinking strategy that balances future interment needs with the protection of the site’s environmental, cultural, and community values.
City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said the Masterplan reflected extensive community and stakeholder consultation, alongside expert environmental and planning advice. “Carr Villa Memorial Park is a place of deep cultural and personal significance for many in our community,” Mayor Garwood said.
“We thank everyone who contributed to the consultation process. This input helped shape a respectful and balanced plan that upholds the site’s primary purpose while enhancing its environmental stewardship and cultural relevance.”
Key features of the Masterplan include:
- A clear strategy to ensure future interment capacity, supporting Carr Villa’s ongoing role in serving the community the next 50 years.
- Practical improvements to enhance the visitor experience, including additional reflection seating, improved signage and wayfinding, upgraded accessible toilets, and a dedicated reflection space near the Children’s Cemetery.
- Ongoing community engagement to guide future burial and ash placement needs, ensuring inclusive and culturally safe development.
- A commitment that any future development will be based on demonstrated community need and subject to further Council consideration, environmental assessment, and planning approval.
- Strengthened protection and care of remnant bushland, supported by the Carr Villa Bushland Management Plan.
- Enhanced community partnerships to support conservation of heritage and environmental values, while enriching the visitor experience.
Mayor Garwood also acknowledged the strong community feedback, particularly regarding protection of the native bushland. “We’ve listened to our community’s concerns and are committed to preserving the Flora Reserve and minimising environmental impacts through careful planning and ongoing conservation,” he said. In response to this feedback, the Masterplan has been refined to:
- Clearly state that no widespread clearing is proposed, and that any future development will require rigorous environmental, cultural, and community assessment.
Emphasise the Bushland Management Plan’s role in protecting and enhancing remnant vegetation.
- Acknowledge that changing interment trends, such as increased cremation rates, may reduce or delay the need for expansion, potentially extending Carr Villa’s capacity well beyond current forecasts.
“Any future development will be subject to further Council approval, including thorough environmental and planning assessments,” Mayor Garwood added.
"The City of Launceston thanks the community for their valuable input, which has shaped a Masterplan that honours Carr Villa’s legacy while responsibly planning for its future."